My Mom's Wedding Gift

We recently celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary. And it reminded me of the bed linen my Mom had so lovingly embroidered and gifted 2 years ago.

I seldom use it, for the fear of it getting spoiled. But I thought it was a special enough occasion to take it out. A few snippets.

Out of the Treasure Chest (Part 3): The Blue Caravan

This was originally made as a part of a school project, when I was 13. This was made on a "Magazine Holder", which I have never really used!

I am quite attached to the pattern because it had been used by my mother on a bamboo straw sheet, decades ago.

Out of the Treasure Chest (Part 2): At Sunset

This piece was made just after my high school examinations had ended. So, it is around 15 years old (and I still need to get a frame for it!)

My Mom and I had discovered the pattern in one of her old women's magazines, and decided to go ahead with it.

It uses "Half Cross Stitch" and I had no idea how to go about it till I started work on the project. It took me around a month to finish it.

Colorful Peacock: WIP

My latest project happens to be this Colorful Peacock.

Its a "Anchor Stitch Kit" project which I had purchased on impulse at one of the airports. Not on impulse actually, since I had wanted one of these for a long time. What worked for me was the huge variety of designs which were available and the time which I had on my hand while waiting for my flight.
This is a part of their "Impression" Series, and makes use of long stitch to create the effect.

I started it in mid September, and looking at the progress, it seems that it will take another 6 months to finish. Not because its difficult, but because I can see a packed calendar (work wise and on the family front) till December end alteast.

Out of the Treasure Chest (Part 1): The Red Skirt

We all possess a “Treasure Chest” – the place where we keep our prized possessions. The possessions may range from our favorite toy from infancy, a bundle of letters / cards collected since adolescence, the very personal diary which captures the first crush, eclectic trinkets and what not.
My Treasure chest has most of the above, as well as an assortment of hand embroidered pieces. These include the first cross stitch handkerchiefs I had made when I was 7 and a few more as the years progressed and my embroidery skills developed and matured.
As a first “proper” post, I would like to share the work I had done when I was in my late teens. This was an elaborate border embroidered on a plain red skirt. It continues to be one of my favorites till date.

Click the Picture for a larger view

The border is a very Indian one and is approximately 12 inches tall. It makes use of the following stitches:
1. Closed herringbone: for filling in the areas
2. Open Herringbone: for the white border
3. Stem stitch
4. Straight stitch
5. Lazy Daisy

Click the Picture for a larger view

The mirror caps which I have used are the ones which are readily available in the market, and need to be sewed on to cover the mirror.

Click the Picture for a larger view

This border took me around 2 months to complete.
Unfortunately, I have lost the pattern and hence cannot replicate it on any other dress.

Click the picture for a larger view

Finally!

Finally! "Making my Day Brighter" is finally registered, the template has been selected and customized and I am writing my first post. The idea for this blog had been there for quite sometime now. I already have a Food Blog, and I wanted another place to share my other interests which keep me going.

The first hurdle was selecting the name, and then the blog platform. I initially tried to merge it with my other blog, My Experiments & Food, but wasn't quite satisfied with the results. I did try some other platforms but returned to Blogger since it allowed me to customize the header (to a size I wanted) :)

Its raining outside, and the winter chill has set in. I look forward to calling it a day in office and going home. I am right now having a sense of accomplishment.